"That should soon drive them away. You are not
frightened, I hope?"
"Not a bit. My only regret is that I am not permitted to help in the
defense. It must be irksome for you, Dr. Christobal, to be stationed
here when the ship is in danger. I am certain you would prefer to be
up there with the others."
"Thank you for saying that. I wish you were able to read all my
thoughts as accurately."
His right hand went to the pocket in which he had placed the revolver.
The stock appeared to have a peculiar clamminess as his fingers closed
around it. Though he was proud of the iron nerve which had won him
repute in his profession, he almost prayed now that it might not fail
him at the last. What a horror, to be compelled with his parting
glance to see this bright and gracious woman crumple up on the deck!
"But I know you are a brave man," she said with a confidant smile. "It
demanded a higher courage to pass undaunted through the ordeal of the
storm than to face these ill-armed Indians. Please don't think I am a
warlike person, but it makes my blood boil to find that there are
wretches who regard our distress as their opportunity to murder us and
pillage the ship.
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